Nebraska Section PGA | 610 J Street., Ste 10 | Lincoln, NE 68508 | Ph: (402) 489-7760 | Fax: (402) 489-1785 | www.nebraskapga.com
Officers President Nathan Kalin, PGA Fremont Golf Club nathan.kalin@fremontgolfclub.org Vice President Gil Russell, PGA Norfolk Country Club gilrussell@norfolkcountryclub.biz Secretary
Dawn Neujahr, PGA Champions Run dneujahr@championsomaha.com Honorary President Tony Pesavento, PGA Omaha Country Club tpesavento@pga.com
Staff Executive Director David Honnens, PGA dhonnens@pgahq.com Tournament Director Sean O’Neill, PGA soneill@pgahq.com Director of Nebraska Junior Golf/ Player Development Seth Scollard, PGA sscollard@pgahq.com Operations Manager Renee Tyson rtyson@pgahq.com Development Officer Bob Danenhauer bdanenhauer@pgahq.com Junior Golf Coordinator Cassie Trumbley ctrumbley@pgahq.com
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DATE
COURSE
EVENT
7/2/18 7/9/18
Wilderness Ridge GC Hillcrest CC
Golf Fore the Troops National Car Rental NEB PGA Asst Champ
7/9-10/18 7/16/18 7/23/18 7/30-31/18
Hillcrest CC Bent Tree & Wilderness Ridge GC ArborLinks ArborLinks
NE PGA Senior Professional Championship Web.com Tour Monday Qualifier HCIS Pro-3 AM Nebraska PGA Professional Championship
8/6/18 8/13/18 8/20/18 8/27/18 9/4/18 9/8-9/18 9/14-16/18 9/18/18 9/24/18 10/1/18 10/8/18 10/15/18 10/22/18
Quail Run Yankee Hill CC Champions Run Bent Tree Oak Hills Green Valley GC Elks Country Club The Players Club Wild Horse GC Quarry Oaks Happy Hollow Club The Pines CC The Players Club
Quail Run Pro/Pro Harris Yamaha Golf Cars/Mizuno Pro-3 AM Nebraska Section PGA Foundation Pro-AM Harris Yamaha Golf Cars Pro-Am Mizuno Pro/Assistant Championship TaylorMade 36 Hole Pro-3 AM Wells Fargo Nebraska Open Club Car Pro/Pro/Pro All Star Pro Golf Team Championship Nebraska PGA Cup Series Championship Nebraska PGA Pro-Am Championship Nebraska Section PGA Legends of Golf Club Car 27 Hole Pro-3 AM
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SEASIDE, Calif. –- Ryan Vermeer of Omaha, Nebraska, took a series of punches from the rugged Bayonet Course Wednesday, then came off the ropes to carry away the biggest prize of his golf career. With a three-stroke lead erased thanks to a 4-overpar front nine,Vermeer dug deep and challenged himself to complete a mistake-free final nine. He birdied Holes 10 and 11, sprinkled in “some huge up-anddowns” to save par, then birdied 18 for a 1-over-par 73 for a two-stroke victory in the 51st PGA Professional Championship presented by Club Car and OMEGA. The PGA Director of Instruction at Happy Hollow Club in Omaha,Vermeer finished with a 72-hole total of 5-under-par 283, and became the first Nebraska PGA Member to win the national championship. He took home a first-place check of $55,000 and will have his name engraved on the Walter Hagen Cup. “I haven’t won a lot of golf tournaments in my life; about seven in college, but nothing like this,” said Vermeer, 40, a former two-time All-American at the University of Kansas. “To do it in front of cameras and what goes with it, and I’ve never won this much money. It’s a life-changing thing. I’ve known that I had enough game to win an event like this. To come out and do it is pretty awesome.”
PGA Members, Associates, PGA Golf Management University Students and PGA Spouse/Partner receive complimentary admittance into the PGA Championship on a daily basis. The member must bring a current membership card along with a photo ID. Park in the public parking lot, take the shuttle to the main gate and go to the Will Call trailer located near the admissions gate. This is required for each day they plan to attend the Championship. The family member must accompany them to the trailer and show a photo ID in order to receive a ticket for him or herself.
Ticket Information: (800) 742-4653 and pga.com. 4
Register HERE
Deadline to Register—July 4 10:59 PM CST
Register HERE Deadline to Register—July 4 10:59 PM CST
Register HERE
Deadline to Register—July 25 10:59 PM CST 5
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The state’s top amateur golfers versed the state’s top professionals at Yankee Hill C.C. in a four-ball and singles matches for the 46th Nebraska Cup Matches. The Nebraska Section PGA Professionals got off to a hot start in the morning four-ball by capturing 29.00 points to the Nebraska Golf Association Amateurs who earned 7.0 points. The senior PGA Professionals lead the morning charge as the team of Jim White, PGA MP and Tom Hearn, PGA halved their first nine holes but turned it on and won the back nice 3&2 and overall match 3&2 to earn 5.0 points. Ted DiGiacomo, PGA and Troy Harder, PGA equaled this performance by winning the front nine 2&1 and halving the back nine and winning the overall match 2&1 to earn 5.0 points. The non-seniors representing the PGA team were led by Jon Petersen, PGA and, Justin Herron, PGA who captured all 6.0 points against Lance Lawson and Philip Maschka. Captain Ryan Vermeer, PGA and Jonathan Beaver, PGA also played some impressive golf by beating Ryan Nietfeldt and Alex Schaake and earning 5.0 points. READ MORE
VIEW SCOREBOARD
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June Update David Schneider, PGA District 8 Director
Dear District 8 PGA Members & Associates: I am currently in the middle of my first year, of a three year term, as representative for District 8 of the PGA of America. The previous three District 8 Directors: JD Drimel, PGA from the Minnesota Section PGA and the Dakota Chapters, Chris Thomson, PGA from Nebraska Section and Jeff Smith, PGA from the Iowa Section have been great mentors and have taught me that using our voice to represent District 8 is critical. District 8 is not the largest district of the 14, nor is it recognized in our country as the “powerhouse” destination for the game of golf as compared to areas like Florida, Arizona and California. However, that certainly does not insinuate that the programs and accomplishments of our 1000 plus PGA Members and Associates are any less important. All that we accomplish and do to promote and grow the game in our district is extremely relevant and critical to the nation as a whole. I am very happy to report that every single board meeting I have attended and every national committee meeting I’ve participated in, has been conducted with an extremely inclusive viewpoint by national leaders being certain to gain input from all sections involved. We have an equal voice in District 8 and I want to definitively state we are using it at every opportunity to grow the game and serve the member locally. I sincerely ask and encourage you to contact me should you have any comments, thoughts or suggestions, locally or nationally. I can be reached at daves@happyhollowclub.com or by phone at 402-391-2341. This is not “their” PGA at National Headquarters, it’s OUR National PGA. On a related note, it is clear District 8 and Nebraska knows how to “golf our ball” at the largest stage possible thanks to Ryan Vermeer., PGA By the way...... he’s not done yet. Bring on Bellerive!!!! David Schneider, PGA, CCM General Manager / COO Happy Hollow Club District 8 Director 8
From the Field: June Member Update Jeff "JD" Drimel, PGA PGA Career Consultant Dear District 8 PGA Members and Associates: The “Dog Days of Summer” are here and that means the temps, AND the golf courses, are heating up! Summertime usually means, junior golf, swimming, camps and plenty of other activities at facilities of all types. Member – Guest events, Invitationals and other tournaments fill the golf calendars and gives each one of us an opportunity to show them what we can do! Congratulations to each Section for the success they are having in the Junior Golf space. Kudos to the entire Team of Section employees who do so much for the young golfers in our District…Way to Go! Speaking of “showing them what we can do,” I would ask that you share ONE of your great ideas with another Professional or group of Professionals. Over the years, it is safe to say that ALL my great ideas were taken from another successful Professional or program. Men’s and Women’s League formats, tournament extras, and a host of other “Best Practices” helped me along the way. The sharing of these ideas helps us all and frankly, it is a compliment if someone uses your idea. Reach out of your normal circle, mentor another Professional, share your ideas and let’s all have a great summer! Here is one of my own for your consideration… For BIG events, hire a local Rules Official to help with your event. Doing so can eliminate any controversial rulings that need to be made and can come from a third party. This works well when extra winnings are on the line and can keep you out of an uncomfortable situation. There are also other benefits too… JD Drimel, PGA PGA Career Consultant Serving the Iowa, Minnesota and Nebraska Sections 561-386 -7715 Cell Jdrimel@pgahq.com
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2017 Horton Smith Award Bradley Goetsch, PGA I feel extremely fortunate to be able to do something that I love for a living. I am passionate about education and helping others to make their dreams a reality. For me, education is the catalyst for doing something you love. When I was a student at Ferris State University in the PGA Golf Management Program, I was blessed with many people who were dedicated to helping me on my path toward becoming a golf professional. I had the faculty and staff within the program at Ferris as well as each of my internship supervisors and their staff guiding me on my path. It was through all of this that I saw the value of education and the impact that it can have on a person’s life. Education is something that has immeasurable value and cannot be taken away. It is one of the most precious assets a person can ever obtain and is limitless in its power and potential. When the opportunity arose for me to join the team with the PGA Golf Management Program at UNL, I knew it was something I had to do. The great thing was, I didn’t just have to do it…I wanted to do it. I had before me, a chance to be a small piece of the puzzle that helps someone to achieve their own dreams and to actually enjoy going to work as much as I do. At the end of each semester, I have a chance to see a new batch of professionals gain their PGA membership and it gives me a ton of pride to think back on their first day in PGAM 101 and reflect on the journey. This extends beyond graduates of the program as well. I have always tried to make it a point to be available to associates and professionals in any way that I can. We’re all in this together and while we may have no control over any situation, we have total control over how we react to it. The knowledge we gain over the course of our lives gives us the tools we need to react more efficiently. My only hope for myself and for all that I’ve had the privilege of helping along the way is to ensure that all understand that education never stops. I know, by saying this, I run the risk of sounding like a cliché commencement speaker, but it rings absolutely true. Education is the fuel of progress, old dogs can always learn new tricks and learning should never stop. Bradley Goetsch, PGA
Instruction Coordinator PGA Golf Management University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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FY 2018/2019 ANNUAL DUES All Members and Associates have been notified of their 2018/2019 annual dues obligation either by Email or a hard copy printed invoice; for those individuals who do not have an email address. The due date is June 30, 2018. Reminder – this year’s invoice includes a $5 line item charge for the Member Assistance Program (MAP) for Members and Associates. Click here to learn more about the program and to refer callers to for some initial information and some FAQ’s regarding the benefit which becomes effective July 1, 2018.
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We would like to say a special thank you to Channel 8 KLKN TV Sports Director, Brett Edwards for his dedication to promoting the game of golf and the Nebraska Section PGA over the last eight years. His "Best-of-Golf" Segments since 2010 include "Breaking 90", "Golfing with the Stars" and "Brett's Army". He has shared with the viewing audience how much fun the game of golf is for all ages and abilities. Your friends at the Nebraska Section PGA of America wish you all the best and look forward to seeing you on the golf course soon! Watch the highlights HERE
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In golf, the term “moving day” refers to the penultimate round, e.g., Round 3 of a four-round tournament. It is the day that players try their best to move up the leaderboard in order to take over the lead or be within striking distance of the leader for the final round. Unfortunately, for Phil Mickelson, his third round of the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Long Island, New York, was a “moving day” for all the wrong reasons! First of all, he posted an 11-over 81, tumbling down the leaderboard and out of contention.
Second, he lost his cool on the par-4 13th hole after missing a bogey putt. As illustrated in the adjacent images courtesy of Fox Sports, Phil watched in frustration as he saw his putt miss the hole and start down the slope. He started running after his putt, caught up with it before it rolled off the green, and then made a stroke at his ball while it was still in motion. That attempt went by the hole, and two putts later, he was walking off the green having incurred a two-stroke penalty and carding a 10 for the hole! The applicable Rule is Rule 14-5 [Playing Moving Ball] which reads, in part, “A player must not make a stroke at his ball while it is moving.” The penalty for a breach of this Rule is loss of hole in match play, and two strokes in stroke play. In a post-round interview, Phil admitted that he played the moving ball in order to avoid the likelihood of his having to play his next stroke from off the green and behind the bunker. That sounds an awful lot like gaining a significant advantage for which the Committee might consider imposing a penalty of disqualification pursuant to Rule 33-7 [Disqualification Penalty; Committee Discretion] which reads, in part: “A penalty of disqualification may, in exceptional individual cases be waived, modified or imposed if the Committee considers such action warranted. … If a Committee considers that a player is guilty of a serious breach of etiquette, it may impose a penalty of disqualification under this Rule.”
The USGA chose not to disqualify Phil primarily because Rule 14-5 covers the situation. Moreover, even though his actions were not in keeping with the “gentlemen’s game,” Phil was not guilty of a serious breach of etiquette. Decision 33-7/8 [Meaning of “Serious Breach of Etiquette] points out, “A serious breach of etiquette is behavior by a player that shows significant disregard for an aspect of the Etiquette Section, such as intentionally distracting another player or intentionally offending someone.” It should also be noted that, had Phil allowed the ball to continue to its ultimate destination off the green (and even into the bunker), he could have deemed his ball unplayable at that point. Under Rule 28a [Ball Unplayable], for just one penalty stroke, he would have been permitted to proceed under penalty of stroke and distance and place his ball on the putting surface at the spot from which he originally putted the ball! So, by playing the moving ball, Phil incurred a two-stroke penalty when he could have gotten by with just a one-stroke penalty!! 17
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EMPLOYEE
CLASS
Greg Johannesen, PGA A-14 Jim White, PGA MP A-13 Ashley Hammond, PGA A-1
Name
Brian Fauss Gary Gabrielson Rick Gilliland Joe Canny John Frillman Brett Klug Brent McGrew Rich Skinner Mike VunCannon Rob Spomer Mark Nygaard Daniel Johnson Max Hadenfeldt Scott Murphy Gene Johnson Ross Eickhoff Shane McClure Mark Ruhga David Honnens Seth Kupfer David Vannier James Sieckmann Scott Bruha Tom McAndrew Phil Palmer Don Germer
CURRENT FACILITY
PREVIOUS FACILITY
PREV CLASS
Fairways at Lincoln Firethorn Golf Club A-14 Fairways at Lincoln Firethorn Golf Club A-6 Kearney Country Club Andalusia Country Club A-8
Birth Date
7/1 7/1 7/5 7/6 7/7 7/8 7/8 7/9 7/11 7/13 7/16 7/16 7/17 7/20 7/21 7/22 7/24 7/25 7/27 7/27 7/28 7/29 7/29 7/30 7/30 7/31 19